National Bereavement Resources
Our patients and families come from many different areas in the Mid-Atlantic region. This list is for information on numerous national offices of groups that offer bereavement support. Please contact the national offices to find chapters or offices in your immediate area. Most national offices also provide support for forming local chapters or programs if none are available in your area.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
601 E St., NW, Washington, DC 20049. 1-800-424-3410 (1-888-OUR-AARP). AARP Grief and Loss Programs offer a wide variety of resources and information on bereavement issues for adults of all ages and their families. Services include: one-to-one peer outreach, a grief course, bereavement support groups, informational booklets and brochures, and online support.
American Self-Help Clearinghouse
Publishes the Self-Help Sourcebook Online, which is a searchable database that includes information on over 800+ national, international, demonstrational model self-help support groups, ideas for starting groups, and opportunities to link with others to develop needed new national or international groups.
GriefNet.org
An internet community of persons dealing with grief, death, and major loss. They have email support groups. Their integrated approach to online grief support provides help to people working through loss and grief issues of many kinds. The companion site, KIDSAID, provides a safe environment for kids and their parents to find information and ask questions.
Growth House, Inc.
Provides access to the Internet's most comprehensive collection of reviewed resources for end of life care.
HOSPICELINK (Hospice Education Institute)
3 Unity Square, Machiasport, MN 04655-0098. 1-800-331-1620 or 1-207-255-8800. Maintains a computerized database and up-to-date directory of all Hospice ad Palliative Care Programs in the United States. Most hospice programs provide bereavement care in their community. Your loved one did not have to be a hospice patient to participate in their bereavement services.
KIDSAID
A safe place for kids to share and help each other deal with grief and feelings, ask questions and get answers, show artwork and stories, talk about pets, or meet with peers. There are also email support groups available.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
This is the largest nonprofit membership organization representing Hospice and Palliative Care Programs in the United States. They are committed to improving end of life care and expanding access to hospice care with the goal of enhancing quality of life for people dying in America along with their loved ones. The website also assists with locating your local hospice for bereavement care.
National Organization for Victim Assistance
1730 Park Road NW, Washington DC 20010. 1-202-232-6682 or 1-800-879-6682. Provides crisis intervention and counseling for victims and survivors of violent crime and disaster.
Parents of Murdered Children
100 East Eight St., Suite B-41, Cincinnati, OH 42502. 1-513-721-5683 or 1-888-818-POMC. For families and friends who have died by violence. On-going emotional support, newsletters, and chapter development guidelines are provided.
The Compassionate Friends
PO Box 3696, Oak Brook, IL 60522-3696. 1-877-969-0019 or 1-630-990-0010. Offers assistance to families following a death of a child of any age from any cause. There are nearly 600 chapters nationwide. Each provides support, groups, and newsletters.
SHARE Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support, Inc.
St. Joseph Health Center, 300 First Capitol Drive, St.Charles, MO 63301-2893 1-800-821-6819 or 1-636-947-6164. SHARE provides support to those whose lives are touched by the tragic death of a baby through early pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or newborn death.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Alliance
1314 Bedford Avenue, Suite 210, Baltimore, MD 21208. 1-800-221-7437. Exists to ensure the elimination of SIDS through medical research and education while providing support to those affected by an infant death.
National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Resource Center
8280 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean VA 22102 1-866-866-7437
Provides information services on SIDS and related topics with assistance for reference and referral services.
Society of Military Widows
5535 Hempstead Way, Springfield, VA 22151. 1-800-842-3451. Serves widows of all branches of the uniformed services. Offers support, guidance, referral service, and chapter development guidelines.
American Association of Suicidology
4201 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 408, Washington, DC 20008. 1-202-237-2280. The AAS provides referrals to support groups for survivors of suicide victims.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
511 East John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 700, Irving, TX 75062. 1-800-438-MADD (6233). MADD will put you in touch with an advocate who can provide comfort, help and guidance. Many affiliates also offer support groups where victims can meet other families who share the experience of an impaired-driving crash.